Homebrew Watasenia scintillans Species Details

Species Characteristics: Small, reddish-brown, and capable of emitting bright blue/green light (photophores). They are known for gathering in massive groups but have short lifespans.

Appearance: Small, bioluminescent humanoid with tentacle-like hair or appendages, featuring bright blue glowing spots.

Personality: Curious, skittish, and social, but capable of intense focus or "glowing" bright with emotion (fear, excitement). 

Race & Stat Suggestions

Custom Lineage (Tasha's Cauldron of Everything): Best for creating a unique, small-sized creature with a feat like Fey Touched (for bioluminescent spells) or Skill Expert.

Simic Hybrid (Ravnica): Use to select traits like Tentacles (for extra grappling) and Light-Based Bioluminescence (customized).

Locathah (or a small variant): Good for underwater breathing and aquatic traits. 

Suggested Classes

Light Domain Cleric: The most thematic choice, focusing on using, creating, and manipulating bright, searing light.

Circle of the Land (Coast) Druid: Represents the natural, ocean-based nature of the creature, with access to water-based spells and light spells (e.g., Faerie Fire).

Archfey Warlock: Representing the magical, enchanting glow of the deep-sea, using Faerie Fire or Hypnotic Pattern as "blinding" displays. 

Core Abilities & Traits

Bioluminescence: As a bonus action, you can emit bright light in a 10-foot radius and dim light for another 10 feet.

Ink Cloud (Recharge 5–6): Once per short rest, you can release a 10-foot-radius cloud of ink while underwater, heavily obscuring the area for 1 minute.

Underwater Adaptation: Swim speed of 30-40 ft, water breathing, and darkvision.

Mimicry: Watasenia scintillans has the ability to mimic the appearance of a other race to appear more pleasing to the land dweller eye 

Watasenia scintillans Traits

The Watasenia scintillans are known for their skittish nature, they are social creatures with the capability of intense focus, glowing different colors for every emotion.